§ Order for Committee read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."—(Sir John Gorst.)
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)I wish to ask the Government a question upon this Bill. I offer no opposition in the world to the Duke of Connaught's leave; but it seems to me the Government might take this opportunity of making that slight change in the law for the benefit of other officers which was discussed on the second reading of the Bill. There will be no trouble in passing the Bill in reference to the Duke of Connaught; but I would respectfully point out that it would be the most simple thing in the world to change the title of the Bill and call it something like the Leave of Absence from India Bill, and thus prevent it from having the invidious appearance of being passed simply for the convenience of the Duke of Connaught. I do not think it fair to pass an Act which seems to raise an invidious distinction; and to put in a clause dealing with officers generally would look fairer all round.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)The matter is not so simple as it appears. It is now under consideration, and I hope in the present Session that a measure may be submitted to Parliament for dealing with the question, To attempt to do it now would, I think, involve matters which, at all events, would cause delay; and it is a matter which ought not to be dealt with without full consideration.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Clause 1 stand part of the Bill."
§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)Upon this clause I wish to say, Sir, that we have an assurance from the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the 789 Treasury that the Duke of Connaught will not receive any pay during the period of his leave. I wish, to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether that applies only to Indian pay or generally?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREA-SURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH, (Strand, Westminster)It refers to his pay as Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay Army. It does not, of course, affect any regimental pay, which he would have under any circumstances, whether he was in command or not in command. The engagement is that all his pay and all his allowances, in reference to his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay Army, will be suspended the moment he leaves his command until he returns to it.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREI presume the Duke of Connaught will pay his own expenses in coming home?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHThat, also, is understood.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill reported, without Amendment.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the third time."—(Sir John Gorst.)
§ MR. T. M. HEALYI simply wish to ask a question with reference to the next Business on the Paper—namely, what Bills it is proposed by the Government to take to-night?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHWe propose to take the East India Stock Conversion Bill, the Truro Bishopric Bill, and the Public Parks and Works (Metropolis) Bill.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read the third time, and passed.